ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 10 (Nov 28-Dec 4), The Destruction of Jerusalem

Welcome

Many Sabbath School class teachers either preach a sermon to their class or deliver a monologue on the whole lesson, going through it "day-by-day." The most rewarding sessions involve the members in discussion. These questions here are intended to stimulate the active participation of the members in your class. Of course pertinent information imparted by the teacher is also very valuable, for which there are many resources in print and on the internet. This site seeks to provide a resource for discussions.

If you are a member and not a teacher and your class is boring, try asking questions such as these in your class.

Tuesday, 1 December 2015

Lesson 10 (Nov 28-Dec 4), The Destruction of Jerusalem

Weeping For Tamuz

What do you think is the purpose for God to call two prophets (Jeremiah and Ezekiel) at the same time? Why should God show Ezekiel in Babylon what was happening in the temple in Jerusalem when Jeremiah was right there?
How correct were the elders of Israel in stating that the Lord had abandoned their nation?
What effect on spirituality of Israel would you expect among the Israelites after the Babylonian army attacked them and carried off the cream of the nation?
Is it okay to adapt pagan festivals for use by Christians if we completely discard the pagan aspects?

The Unhappy Reign of King Zedekiah

How would you expect a king or any leader to react when told that he would be the last leader--that the nation or organization would collapse and cease to exist with the end of his tenure?
What reaction from the king and/or the people would you expect to the directive "surrender to the enemy" who was lurking outside?
Why are those who are from minorities more sensitive to those who are being persecuted? Was it not risky to employ a Cushite as an official in the Israelite palace?

The Fall of Jerusalem

Why do you think the enemy was willing to lay siege for two years outside Jerusalem when the rest of the nation had collapsed?
Why was the Babylonian commander kind to Jeremiah? How much did they know about God's purposes?
How safe was it to live in Israel after the Babylonians left? Why do you think so many Israelites moved back to their homeland? Why do people of one country migrate to another? What brings them back home? What prevents others from returning?

All Your Heart

Is it possible to seek God with "all your heart?
Was it better to be in Israel or in Babylon after the conquest?
Why did God instruct the Israelites to marry, build houses, and settle down in Babylon? Could they not get too comfortable there?

The Seventy Years

Why do you think God kept Israelites in captivity for seventy years? During the Exodus why did the Israelites have to wander in the wilderness for forty years? Wouldn't punishment be fresher in the mind if the time gap was not so much?
Is there any significance in Biblical numbers?
How can we tell which is the real fulfillment of a prophecy?
Is prophecy being fulfilled today?

How to Teach a Sabbath School Class

1. Make a conscious decision that you will lead a discussion and not preach a sermon. Prepare accordingly and be alert for discussion opportunities. A discussion in which many participate is very rewarding.

2. You must have a page of freshly written notes. Don't waste people's time with inconsequential things just to occupy the time.

3. Sprinkle your notes with discussion questions and mark them out in bold. Any time you feel you are losing the attention of the members get them into another discussion. The discussion should be relevant to the lesson as well as to everyday life.

4. Start the lesson with a discussion question, or at the very latest within the next few sentences. If you wait for ten minutes and then try to generate a discussion it will be too late. The class will have tuned you out because you have tuned them out.

5. The opening question should be general enough so that even those who have not studied will be interested in contributing.

6. Avoid questions that can be answered by a single word. If someone answers with "yes/no" ask them to give reasons for their answer. If the answer is too short ask them to clarify or simplify the answer.

7. If a member asks a question, that is a golden opportunity for a discussion. Don't waste it by answering it too quickly. Throw the question back to the members for their opinion. You can give yours at the end.

8. Avoid childish questions such as "Which day is the Sabbath?" Members will not feel any need to answer it. Similarly do not pause in a sentence for the members to supply the last few words. That kind of participation is not a discussion. Members must contribute ideas and thoughts and not just words.

9. Avoid trick questions. Members will be embarrassed if you show them wrong and they will not answer the next time. Also avoid questions that will make it obvious whether or not they have studied the lesson. Those who have not studied should also feel urged to contribute.

10. You may sometimes present two views and ask the members to evaluate the views.